Synonyms of buffoonery

buffoonery

noun

(ˌ)bə-ˈfü-nə-rē 

as in tomfoolery

wildly playful or mischievous behavior

their madcap buffoonery turned the duo into the nation's hottest comedy act

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tomfoolery
• clowning
• joking
• clownery
• funning
• horseplay
• foolery
• slapstick
• monkeying
• skylarking
• roughhousing
• monkey business
• high jinks
• roughhouse
• playfulness
• silliness
• shenanigan(s)
• horsing around
• monkeyshine(s)
• nonsense
• clownishness
• jesting
• childishness
• foolishness
• boisterousness
• rowdyism
• rascality
• trickery
• rowdiness
• mischief
• rambunctiousness
• frivolity
• roguishness
• sporting
• revelry
• knavery
• merrymaking
• roguery
• waggery
• mischievousness
• devilry
• impishness
• sportiveness
• prankishness
• roistering
• cavorting
• frolicking
• rumbustiousness
• gamboling
• romping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of buffoonery

Following the departure of Tom Baker in 1981, Doctor Who had started to take itself a little too seriously, perhaps as an antidote to Baker's increasing buffoonery during his seven years as the time lord. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026

Death by Lightning, adapted by Mike Makowsky from Candice Millard’s 2011 nonfiction book and directed by Matt Ross, hums with the strength of these performances, particularly Shannon’s quiet composure and Macfadyen mining new depths of buffoonery. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

Scholz-Carlson’s staging pushes against the deep misogyny of Da Ponte’s libretto by accentuating the buffoonery of the two male romantic leads. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 2 Nov. 2025

Since medieval times, the colorful fool—from court jesters to Shakespeare’s characters—has used playful wit to critique authority and buffoonery to whip up excitement. — Time, 30 Oct. 2025